reiff



(No Model.)

W. H. RE-IPF. APPARATUS FOR GAMES.

No. 441,090. Patented Nov 18, 1890.

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m. G 5 8 6 n H w h s-Re ne v i as n nms PETERS co., PNUTD-LITHO., msmuswn UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM REIFF, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO JOHN N. REEVE, OF SAME PLACE.

APPARATUS FOR GAMES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 441,090, dated November 18, 1890.

' Application filed August 11, 1890. 'Serial No- 36L62l. (N0 model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM H. REIFF, of Philadelphia, county of Philadelphia, and State of Pennsylvania, have invented an Improved Apparatus for Games, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to apparatus for games; and it consists of certain improvements, which are fully set out in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof.

It is the object of my invention to produce a toy or apparatus for games which shall both afford amusement to the player and call forth the exercise of more or less skill.

In carrying out my invention I employ a suitable supporting-piece made of card-board or any other suitable material, provided with a projecting portion having a series of apertures, through which a ball connected to the supporting-piece by an elastic connection may be projected by the elasticity of the connecting-cord.

Arranged behind the apertures are looselysupported targets, which are adapted to be struck by the ball when it passes through the apertures.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective View of my improved game apparatus. Fig. 2 is a rear elevation of the same, and Fig. 3 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view on the line x 00 of Fig. 2.

A is a main supporting-piece, which may be made of wood, card-board, or anysuitable material. Carried by the piece A is a pro ject-ing franie or portion B, which is preferably arranged a short distance from the end of the piece A, extending vertically from the surface thereof. This frame Bis formed with a series of apertures or holes I), which are preferably arranged in different lines or in different altitudes from the surface of the main supporting-piece A. Suspended adjacent to the holes or apertures b are targets 0, which I prefer to suspend by cords from the frame B, so that one of the targets is located behind and closes each of the holes or apertures 17, as is shown in Fig. 2.

In practice I prefer to employ small bells as the targets 0, each being of larger size tion E. hen the elastic connection is pulled and released, the ball D is projected toward the frame B and targets 0 by the elasticity of the connection E, and if properly aimed it will pass through one of the apertures b, striking the appropriate target. By the impetus of the ball the target 0 will be movedso as to permit the ball to pass through the aperture, but swinging back again it will close the aperture 1) and prevent the ball being drawn back by the connection E. Thus the ball is arrested by the target each time it has passed through one of the apertures, so that the aperture passed through is clearly indicated.

The various apertures and targets may be given different numbers or Values proportional to the difficulty of aiming the ball so as to strike them.

By employing the frame B closed, except through the apertures b, with the targets O arranged at the back, each target will be protected except through its appropriate aperture, so that it will be impossible to hit any of the targets unless the ball is accurately aimed so as to pass through one of the apertures. If desired, however, the closed frame B, with the apertures 12, may be dispensed with, and the series of targets 0 alone employed with any convenient means of support.

While I prefer the details of construction here shown, I do not limit myself to them, as it is apparent that they may be modified in many ways without departing from the principles of it.

Having now described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-= The combination, with the main supporting-piece A, of the frame B carried thereby,

and provided with 2t series of apertures b,10- Gated at diiierent altitudes from the supporting-pieee A, the bells O, suspended by cords c behind the apertures 12, the ball D, and the elastic connection E between the ball and supporting-piece A, substantially as and for the.

purpose described.

In testimony of which invention I have hereunto set my hand.

WILLIAM H. REIFF.

WVitnesses:

JOHN N. REEVE, ERNEST HOWARD HUNTER. 

